Free parking boost to Sunday shopping in Scunthorpe town centre

SHOP owners in Scunthorpe town centre say trade is roaring on Sundays as they take advantage of the Telegraph's Go To Town scheme.

And one businessman says he is opening up on Sundays in response to the offer.

We have joined forces with North Lincolnshire Council for the free parking initiative.

It means motorists can take advantage of free weekend parking after 9.30am in council pay and display car parks across Ashby, Brigg and Scunthorpe.

That comes in addition to two hours free parking at The Parishes multi-storey car park in Scunthorpe.

The campaign aims to encourage shoppers to use their local town centres in the busy Christmas and new year period. And it has been welcomed by shop owners in Scunthorpe town centre.

David Redmile, owner of Cindy's Accessories in The Parishes Shopping Centre, said: "We have decided to open on a Sunday from 11am until 3pm because of the free parking scheme.

"We tried before to open on a Sunday and it was not profitable and a waste of time and money. Now the free parking scheme has been introduced, we have seen an increase in footfall and there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of cars parked in the car park.

"We will open every Sunday now while the free parking scheme is running."

Nathan Cole, the manager of Coe and Co on Scunthorpe High Street, also said it was profitable to trade on a Sunday.

He said: "We are open from 10.30am until 4pm every Sunday until after Christmas.

"We decided to open on a Sunday because it is good business and it is proving quite profitable so far.

"The High Street is still quite quiet on a Sunday but there are more people around now, so it is worth opening. The footfall has increased on a Sunday."

Mark Sellows, deputy manager of Sports Direct on Scunthorpe High Street, said: "We make good figures for being open on a Sunday and there has certainly been an increase in the number of Sunday shoppers recently.

"As more and more shops decide to stay open, we see an increase in footfall. We are open from 10am until 4pm."

Weekend shoppers have also welcomed the free parking.

Emma Beswick from Bottesford, said: "Free parking makes shopping on a Sunday a lot more appealing."

Tony Pickering, manager of The Parishes Shopping Centre, said: "Since the introduction of free car parking in November, we have seen a marked increase week-on-week this month .

"So the scheme is working and attracting more people into town, which was the intention from the start and good news for all the retailers.

"Car parks are significantly busier and it makes a welcome change to see The Parishes multi-storey car park full."